Definition: Menorrhagia means excessive bleeding during the menses. The duration and flow is excessive.

Common Causes of Menorrhagia:

• Uterine Fibroid
• Uterine hyperplasia & cancer
• Ovarian tumours
• Hypothyroidism
• Bleeding disorders
• Liver problems
• Psychological upsets

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding: This condition is defined as abnormal uterine bleeding in absence of any organic cause.
This condition can be divided into 2 types: Ovulatory (regular) and Anovulatory (irregular) bleeding.

Investigations:

• Endometrial Curetting
• Blood tests
• Hormonal assays
• Sonography
• Hystero-salpingo-graphy

Treatment: The basic aim of treatment is to control bleeding and also to regularize the periods.

• Reassurance, counselling, correction of hemoglobin levels, protein supplements, dietary advice for the obese forms the basic line of treatment.
• Medication to control inflammation, pain and bleeding.
• Hormone therapy to correct any deficiency.
• Surgical intervention when indicated - curettage, hysterectomy, etc.
• Radiotherapy

Most of the times the dysfunctional uterine bleeding and menorrhagia are controlled very well by medication alone. Surgical intervention is indicated only in resistant cases.

Dr. Shyam Kulkarni Gynaecologist Laksh-Deep Hospital